BOLTON could be about to throw Liverpool misfit El Hadji-Diouf a Premiership lifeline.

BOLTON could be about to throw Liverpool misfit El Hadji-Diouf a Premiership lifeline.

The Senegal forward (left) had been tipped for a move to Spain. The 23-year-old held talks with La Liga outfit Malaga and had interested newlypromoted Levante and Real Mallorca.

But Diouf reportedly met with Trotters boss Sam Allardyce yesterday to discuss a move to the Reebok. However, a possible hitch is that Bolton may insist on a loan deal, while Liverpool want to sell the player.

Diouf has failed to convince since his #10m move to Anfield from French club Lens in 2002. Last season he failed to score a single goal and Gerard Houllier described him as his most expensive mistake during his Anfield reign.

Diouf is definitely out of new boss Rafael Benitez's plans. He was not handed a squad number and was left out of the Reds' recent tour of North America to give him time to find a new club.